The Patriots released running back Joseph Addai on Wednesday, after he failed his physical. However, a league source had said in June, after the team’s minicamp, that the former Colt was unimpressive during spring camps.

Injury struggles are not a recent development for Addai: He played in just 20 games in 2010 and ’11 for Indianapolis.

A first-round pick out of Louisiana State in 2006, Addai was signed by the Patriots on May 10. His release means the team has four running backs on the roster: Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen, Danny Woodhead, and undrafted rookie Brandon Bolden.

There was speculation that Addai’s release might pave the way for Kevin Faulk’s return, but as of Wednesday night Faulk had not been contacted by the Patriots about coming back for a 14th season. Faulk wants another chance to play.

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The Patriots also signed 6-foot-4-inch, 281-pound defensive lineman Tim Bulman on Wednesday. Bulman is a graduate of BC High who played at Boston College and was signed as an undrafted rookie by the Cardinals in 2005.

He was with the Texans from 2006-11, playing in 41 games with one start.

New England also announced the signing of tight end Visanthe Shiancoe.

Let show begin

Showing that he’s still first and foremost a showman, receiver Chad Johnson (known as Chad Ochocinco during his time with the Patriots) told the Miami Herald that having his personality “controlled” while in New England last year contributed to his on-field struggles.

Signed by his hometown Dolphins shortly after his June release by the Patriots, Johnson, who legally changed his name back earlier this month, said, “I’m going back to my normal ways. My normal ways, when I was at my best, when I got fined, look at the production those years. Usually things don’t go right when you try to change the way you do things. I’m back to normal.

“My personality was controlled last year. You didn’t hear me at all last year. Zero. Zilch. When my mouth is running, it forces me to perform.”

Left out of his statement, of course, is that Johnson struggled with the playbook last year, never quite knew where he was supposed to line up, and never quite gained quarterback Tom Brady’s trust because of that.

When asked about his playbook problems, Johnson said, “The stuff that I do well, I do extremely well. The Pats know what I do well. You put that player in position to make those same plays he’s been making his whole career. It’s not rocket science.”

Johnson predicted that he’ll have a “monster” season with Miami regardless of who is playing quarterback — Miami has four on the roster, and it isn’t clear which will be the starter.

Which begs the question: Johnson believes he’ll have a huge season with a rookie (Ryan Tannehill) or a retread (David Garrard) but couldn’t have one with one of the greatest QBs of all time in Brady?

Making some moves

The Patriots officially opened training camp on Wednesday with veterans joining the rookies, who arrived nearly a week earlier. The first on-field practice, open to the public, is Thursday. The team made a couple of roster designations, a league source said, starting with placing guard Brian Waters on the “did not report” list and placing reserve offensive lineman Nick McDonald on the active/physically unable to perform list. Additionally, linebacker Brandon Spikes passed his physical; he was placed on the active/PUP list earlier in the week. With the change in designation, it’s expected he’ll be on the field Thursday . . . The Patriots training camp fan’s guide that ran in Wednesday’s sports section had several incorrect items. The autograph area for fans now will be at the practice field, there is no longer any premium parking, and the Pro Shop will be open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

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